Help when changing provider

mauranya

Hi there - I am assisting my mum to change gas & electric supplier, she is 75 and lives alone in a council property.  I am struggling with the search as they are all insisting on smart meter installation which she has said she does not want.  It says if you sign up with them and then refuse the meter they will put you on another tariff. My question is, is this genuinely enforced and would this change of tariff be a lot more than the quote they have given.  Any help would be much appreciated!

luvchocolate

A friend just moved to Octopus with no mention of a smart meter 

mauranya

Hi there - I have looked at Octopus, seems like a good option. She was with NPOWER which went to Eon Next (and I haven't been on top of her bills ) and it seems there isn't much difference in the rate she is on now compared the USwitch searches.  It is shocking how much the standing charges and rates have increased over the last few years!

TheMilkmansDad

mauranya said:

Hi there - I have looked at Octopus, seems like a good option. She was with NPOWER which went to Eon Next (and I haven't been on top of her bills ) and it seems there isn't much difference in the rate she is on now compared the USwitch searches.  It is shocking how much the standing charges and rates have increased over the last few years!

& it's only going one way at the moment. Which is why I locked in to a 2 year fix with Octopus.

Gerry1

Start comparing with Citizens Advice and 'Which? Switch', using annual kWh figures from actual meter readings.  Ignore all projections and savings claims.

Filter the results to get quotations for Gas Only and Electricity Only because separate suppliers are often cheaper than dual fuel.

Many suppliers don't insist on smart meters.  When you have identified a suitable supplier, on the CA site click Next Steps and then Additional Information to see whether smart meters are required.  Note that often it's only that you are expressing an interest and will be contacted, not that they are mandatory.

mauranya

@Gerry1 that's awesome thank you for the advice!

Gerry1

Also look at the ratings on the CA site and the relevant 'Add your feedback on xxxx' threads on this board.

Some providers may be very cheap but can be a hassle especially if they go bust and a Supplier of Last Resort then takes over.

However, several of the big boys also have dire ratings, so don't be unduly concerned about switching to a relatively unknown supplier.